Termites are incredibly clever—they never chew through the surface of wood, keeping it intact so you won’t notice their presence.
This means that by the time we realize termites have invaded, the damage is often already severe.
Among household pests, termites are particularly nerve-wracking, annoying, and even frightening, yet many people still don’t fully understand them.
I often hear questions like:
👉🏼 What exactly are termites?
👉🏼 What do termites fear?
👉🏼 How can you detect termites?
👉🏼 How do you get rid of termites?
👉🏼 How can you prevent termites?
In this article, we’ll cover all these questions and more.
Hi there! Welcome to Ableddin Solutions Pest Control Team. I’m Alan.
On this site, I’ll share with you what termites are and my years of experience in termite eradication.
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If you already know about termites, feel free to jump directly to “How to Get Rid of Termites.”
What Are Termites?
Termites (also known as white ants) have been around for 250 million years! In simple terms, termites resemble ants in appearance, with their bodies mostly white, but they can also be light yellow or dark brown.
Termites are social insects similar to cockroaches. Despite their name, they are not related to ants. Termites undergo incomplete metamorphosis, missing the pupal stage, making them lower-order insects. In contrast, ants go through complete metamorphosis and are considered higher-order insects.
To put it plainly, termites are descended from the rather unpleasant cockroaches.
Termites are highly social insects. A single termite colony (Subterranean Termite) can consist of up to several million termites, tirelessly searching for food 24/7. They prefer to build nests in moist, warm, and dark environments.
Most termites have reduced eyesight and are light-sensitive. They create tunnels inside the wood they infest, and the mud tubes or mud trails seen on the outside are used to conceal their activities. These mud tubes are made from soil, combined with termite saliva and waste.
Types of Termites:
Termites are primarily categorized into three types: Subterranean Termites, Drywood Termites, and Dampwood Termites. Each type has distinct living habits and preferences.
👉🏼 Subterranean Termites
These termites build their nests in the soil or on the ground, feeding on fungi, leaves, and wood fibers. They construct mud tubes to protect themselves from exposure and forage extensively. A single subterranean termite colony can contain millions of termites, causing significant damage to structures.
👉🏼 Drywood Termites
Drywood termites have a low moisture requirement and do not need a water source to survive. They prefer to live in dry, non-living, or decaying wood, often found in wooden furniture. They primarily feed on wood fibers. Their colonies are smaller, with about 50 termites in the first year and around 800 after five years. Drywood termites excrete pellet-like waste with rounded ends and noticeable six-sided ridges.
👉🏼 Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites thrive in moist, decaying wood and do not need contact with soil. They primarily feed on wood fibers. Their waste is elongated and pellet-like, with rounded ends.
In Malaysia and Singapore, approximately 90% of termites are Subterranean Termites (Subterranean Termite), with 12 different species found across 7 genera:
- Coptotermes
- Macrotermes
- Microtermes
- Globitermes
- Odontotermes
- Schedorhinotermes
- Microcerotermes
What Do Termites Look Like?
Let me introduce you to the members of the most common family of termites: Subterranean Termites.
In a typical home, you will encounter soldier termites, worker termites, and alates (winged reproductive termites). The termite king and queen remain inside their nest for life and do not venture out.
Appearance of Termites:
In a mature termite colony (Subterranean Termite), the main members include:
- Queen Termite
- King Termite
- Reproductive Termites
- Soldier Termites
- Worker Termites
- Nymphs
- Eggs
Termites work together to create and maintain their habitat, each fulfilling their specific role to build a thriving colony.
Termite Queen
The termite queen is a powerful reproductive tool, typically in a monogamous pairing, though sometimes there can be multiple queens. The queen’s abdomen becomes extremely large due to her high egg production capacity, but she cannot move on her own.
On average, a queen lays about 1,000 eggs per day (some species can lay between 10,000 and 30,000 eggs daily once the colony is established). The average lifespan of a queen is around 25 years, though some can live up to 60 years, depending on the termite species.
Termite King
The termite king is slightly larger in size and is responsible for continuous mating with the queen. He remains by the queen’s side and does not leave her.
Termite Alate
Commonly known as “winged termites,” alates are reproductive termites with well-developed reproductive organs and strong phototactic behavior, meaning they are attracted to light. They fly out of the nest to mate and establish new colonies.
The peak mating period occurs from April to June each year, often after rain when the soil is soft. After landing, alates shed their wings and begin building a new nest, eventually becoming new termite kings and queens. There are also short-winged (brachypterous) and wingless (apterous) forms that stay within the existing colony to replace injured or deceased queens.
Termite Soldiers
Termite soldiers are easily recognizable by their dark-colored heads and lighter-colored bodies, and they have large mandibles at the front. As their name suggests, their primary role is to defend the colony. When danger approaches, they use their heads to tap on the wood, signaling other termites.
Their heads are highly sclerotized, and their mandibles have evolved into weapons used to protect the colony’s tunnels and block intruders. Some species can even secrete defensive termite acid. Soldiers cannot feed themselves and rely on worker termites to provide nourishment. They lack reproductive capabilities, do not molt, and have reduced eyesight. They make up about 15% of the termite colony and typically live for around 5 years.
Different termite species have different appearances for their soldiers, and experts often use soldier termites to identify species.
Termite Workers
Termite workers are mostly all white and constitute the majority of the termite colony, making up about 80% of it. They have reduced eyesight and cannot reproduce. Their responsibilities include building and maintaining the nest, foraging for food, feeding all other termites, cleaning and caring for eggs, regulating temperature, and cultivating fungal gardens (a demanding job).
Workers also secrete pheromones to communicate foraging routes. A significant loss of worker termites can disrupt the colony’s feeding and other essential functions, potentially leading to the colony’s collapse.
Termite Nymphs
Termite nymphs undergo several molts and can develop into either reproductive termites, soldier termites, or worker termites, depending on the needs of the colony and their developmental stage.
Termite Eggs
Termite eggs typically hatch into nymphs within about 20 days.
What Do Termites Eat?
In their search for food, termites use a unique strategy by choosing wood that other organisms cannot digest as their primary food source.
Termites are among the few organisms capable of digesting lignocellulose found in wood. This is due to the presence of symbiotic single-celled organisms, like flagellates, in their intestines. These microorganisms help termites break down wood fibers into absorbable nutrients.
For termites, wood that other organisms cannot digest is a delicious treat, allowing them to avoid competition for food and enhancing their ability to reproduce.
So, termites primarily consume plant material, wood fibers, and synthetic fibers. Some species also cultivate fungi, acting as their own farmers.
Termites are also attracted to cardboard, books, and other paper products. Common household items that termites might infest include wooden furniture, plastic insulation on wires, fiber-containing clothing, rubber products, and even paper currency.
What Attracts Termites?
Why do termites choose to invade my home instead of my neighbor’s? What attracts termites to my house?
Termites thrive in moist and warm conditions. The warmth generated inside your home can be more appealing to termites compared to the surrounding outdoor areas, especially if the conditions inside are ideal for them.
Termites prefer to hide within the walls of a house. Once they find a source of wood, they can invade in large numbers and cause extensive damage to wooden structures.
Termites are attracted to dark, damp, and warm environments. Factors that may attract termites to your home include:
- Indoor wooden furniture
- Easily accessible cracks
- Water leaks and high humidity areas
- Wooden door frames and floors
- Dark storage spaces
- Large amounts of cardboard or books
- Wooden boards placed outside
- Trees planted in the garden
These conditions can make your home more inviting to termites.
Experiments have shown that even when termite detection stations are set up in outdoor areas known to have termite activity, only a portion of the stations may attract termites. This indicates that termites spread randomly in search of food. To reduce the likelihood of termite infestation, it’s essential to minimize these attractive conditions.
How Do Termites Enter My Home?
Termites enter homes through various pathways, including:
➡ Deep Foundations
Termites can find their way into homes through cracks or gaps in the foundation.
➡ Cracks in Walls
They can enter through small fissures or gaps in the walls.
➡ Water Pipes
Termites may extend their tunnels through water pipes that lead into the home.
➡ Underground Electrical Wiring
They can follow underground electrical wiring that extends into the house.
➡ Swarmers (Alates)
During their mating flight, winged termites (alates) are attracted to light and can enter the home when they land.
These entry points can provide access for termites to invade and potentially damage your property.4o mini
How Termites Find and Communicate About Food
Worker termites release trail pheromones to signal other termites about the location of food.
Soldier termites use their heads to tap on surfaces, and the vibrations help them gauge the size of the object. They then inform the colony to send an appropriate number of workers to consume the food.
Termites also use ground temperature to detect the presence of objects.
To minimize termite invasion, try to:
- Avoid placing cardboard directly on the floor.
- Repair any leaks or cracks inside your home to reduce moisture and potential entry points for termites.
How to Detect Termites: 3 Key Methods
To detect and check for termites, you’ll need a flashlight and a screwdriver. Here are three methods to identify signs of infestation:
1. Carefully Observe
Look for termite trails. If the trails are new, moist, and sticky, it could indicate an active infestation. In contrast, old, dry trails may suggest termites have already left. Examine both indoor and outdoor areas thoroughly, including:
- Wooden furniture and door frames
- Wall edges and baseboards
- Wooden floors and ceiling beams
- Areas around kitchen pipes
- Trees, wooden fences, and clutter
Check for signs of termite damage, such as mud tubes, frass (termite droppings), or discarded wings on the ground.
2. Listen Carefully
Tap on suspected wooden furniture, cabinets, or door frames. If you hear a hollow sound, it may be due to termite damage. In areas with high termite activity, you might also hear the sound of termites tapping their heads to communicate.
3. Gently Touch
Press on the suspected areas. If you feel soft spots or hollow sections, termites may have caused damage. Check for wave-like swelling on wooden surfaces, which can indicate severe internal damage. If necessary, pry open suspicious areas for a thorough inspection.
What Scares Termites?
Termites are sensitive to several factors that can deter or harm them:
1. Light
Except for winged reproductive termites (alates) that are attracted to light during their mating flight, most termites, including soldiers and workers, have reduced eyesight and are sensitive to light. They avoid well-lit areas to prevent dehydration and predators.
2. Heat
Termites have thin exoskeletons, making them vulnerable to dehydration from high temperatures. In extremely hot conditions, such as those on roof beams, their feeding activity slows down. While heat treatment (like using hot water or fire) can kill termites, it’s often a temporary fix that doesn’t address the root problem.
3. Vibration
Termites are highly sensitive to vibrations. Even minor disturbances can drive them back into their protective tunnels. They may seal off their tunnels and search for new food sources if disturbed. It’s important not to immediately move infested items, as this can cause termites to spread to new areas.
4. Insecticides
While standard insecticides and termite treatments can kill termites on contact, they only affect those directly exposed. With large underground colonies, these treatments might only eliminate a small percentage of the termites, leaving the rest to seal off their tunnels and spread to other locations.
5. Odors
Termites are sensitive to unusual smells and may avoid areas where they detect strong odors. This includes enzyme sprays or essential oils. They may detect these smells and move away from them.
6. Natural Predators
Termites face threats from various natural enemies, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, mites, and parasites, which can lead to colony collapse. They are also preyed upon by ants, spiders, dragonflies, frogs, birds, pangolins, platypuses, chimpanzees, armadillos, and even professional termite exterminators (just kidding!).
Understanding these deterrents can help in developing more effective strategies to manage and prevent termite infestations.
What Damage Can Termites Cause?
Termites are not a threat to your bed or skin, as they don’t consume meat. However, if you come into contact with termites, the soldier termites might bite you defensively.
Impact on Structures and Buildings
Termites primarily feed on cellulose found in wood, making them particularly destructive to buildings and structures. They cause significant damage by:
- Eating Wooden Components: Termites infest and weaken wooden structures such as beams, floors, and foundations, which can lead to structural issues and even sudden collapses.
- Damaging Furniture and Fixtures: Furniture, door frames, ceilings, and roof beams can be severely compromised, requiring costly repairs or replacements.
Broader Economic Impact
Termite damage extends beyond homes:
- Cultural and Historical Assets: Termites can attack valuable cultural and historical sites, causing irreversible damage.
- Electrical Equipment: They can also damage electrical wiring, leading to potential hazards.
- Agricultural Damage: Termites may harm crops, affecting agricultural productivity.
- Infrastructure: Water reservoirs, dams, and other critical infrastructure can also suffer from termite damage, leading to significant economic losses.
Addressing termite infestations promptly is crucial to prevent extensive damage and avoid costly repairs.
How to Eliminate Termites?
If you discover that your home is under termite attack, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly.
Should You Handle It Yourself?
No! Termite inspection and treatment are highly specialized processes. Eliminating termites is best left to experienced and trained pest management professionals.
While there is a wealth of online information and DIY termite control products available, most effective and qualified termite control solutions are only accessible through professional pest control companies. Attempting to handle termites yourself often leads to the problem spreading and ineffective treatment, resulting in wasted time and worsening of the issue.
To help you understand more, this article will cover four methods for termite elimination. Detailed explanations will follow in subsequent articles.
1) Baiting for Termite Control
Termite Bait Systems (also known as termite baits) are a safe and non-toxic method for termite elimination. Here’s how they work:
- Baiting Mechanism: Termites enter the bait stations, consume the bait, and carry it back to their nest. The bait contains insect growth regulators (IGRs) that affect the worker termites, preventing them from molting and causing their death. As worker termites die off, the colony struggles with inadequate care and eventually collapses.
Why Professional Pest Control Companies Use Termite Baits:
- Brand Reputation: High-quality termite baits are usually not sold directly to the public to avoid misuse that could damage the brand’s reputation.
- Market Control: Companies aim to maintain market control and protect intellectual property, which can be quite profitable.
Why Do Termite Baits Work?
Termite baits typically contain one or more of the following active ingredients:
- Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): These disrupt the molting process of termites, leading to their death.
- Digestive Disruptors: These prevent termites from digesting food, causing them to die of starvation.
- Toxic Agents: Some baits use poison as the main ingredient.
A good termite bait system includes effective attractants and active ingredients. The bait needs to continually attract termites to ensure they consume enough to eliminate the entire colony. Proper placement and maintenance of bait stations are crucial for success.
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Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection & Killing Stakes
Spectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam
2) Powder Treatment
Termite Powder can be an effective method for eliminating termites when used correctly. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and tips for proper application:
Why Does Termite Powder Work?
- Direct Contact: Termite powders work by coming into contact with termites. When termites get the powder on their bodies, they transfer it to other members of the colony through grooming. This grooming habit ensures the powder spreads throughout the colony, leading to the death of many termites.
- Contact Poison: Unlike bait systems, termite powder doesn’t need to be ingested to be effective. Instead, it poisons termites through direct contact. This makes it particularly useful for treating drywood termites and outdoor infestations.
How to Use Termite Powder Effectively:
- Avoid Overuse: Sprinkling a large amount of powder indiscriminately can disrupt termite trails and make them avoid the area altogether. Termites might retreat to safer locations and seek out new food sources if their path is obstructed.
- Gentle Application: Lightly apply the powder along termite trails or infested areas. This ensures that termites will come into contact with the powder without being deterred by an overwhelming amount.
- Targeted Application: If you find termite trails, make small punctures in the trails and lightly dust the powder into these openings. This allows the powder to be spread along the trail without completely blocking it, so termites continue to interact with it.
- Reapply as Needed: Termite powder application might need to be repeated. Check the treated areas after a few days and reapply if necessary to ensure continued effectiveness.
- Use Proper Tools: If the powder doesn’t come with a sprayer, purchase a suitable nozzle or sprayer to ensure even and controlled application.
Important Tips:
- Safety First: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for handling and applying the powder to avoid any potential health risks.
- Monitor Results: Keep an eye on the treated areas to assess the effectiveness and make adjustments if necessary.
Proper use of termite powder can help control termite populations, but for severe infestations or extensive damage, consulting a professional pest control service is advisable.
Instructions for Using Termite Powder
When first using the powder sprayer, do not aim it directly at the termites. Instead, test the sprayer to ensure that it disperses the powder evenly. Once you confirm that the sprayer is working correctly, you can then direct it at the termites.
Safety Guidelines for Termite Powder
- Avoid spraying in the kitchen or bedroom: The powder can become airborne and may come into contact with food or be inhaled.
- Wear protective gear: Use a mask, gloves, and ideally safety goggles while handling the powder. Store any leftover powder in a place where children cannot access it.
- Be cautious with colored powders: If the powder is white, it is generally safer. However, if it is red or bright red (indicating high toxicity), handle it with care and avoid inhalation.
- Not for subterranean termites: Termite powder is not suitable for treating subterranean termites that invade your home. Their nests are deep underground and their numbers are vast, making it difficult to eradicate them completely with powder.
- Best for garden termites: Termite powder is more suitable for treating outdoor garden termites. However, without professional experience, the success rate of completely eliminating a termite nest using powder is low. Use it with caution.
Feel free to adjust any specifics if needed!
3) Contact Treatment
Contact treatments involve using termite products, sprays, foams, or insecticides to kill termites directly. However, keep in mind that you can only kill the termites that are directly exposed and visible; this method does not address the entire termite colony. This approach is mainly recommended for minor problems, such as with drywood termites or localized infestations, because drywood termites are usually fewer in number and confined to specific areas.
Termite Spray
This is a popular choice among beginners, likely because it is easy to find in hardware stores. However, simply spraying might not be as effective as you think. If you purchase a Class 2 termiticide, it might just end up filling your house with the smell of chemicals, without effectively killing the termite colony.
For the best results, termite sprays need to be combined with soil, or at least sprayed onto wood that can absorb the treatment. If you only spray walls and furniture, you will not effectively address an entire subterranean termite colony.
Termite sprays work best when applied to soil, as termites will be exposed to the poison when they come into contact with or tunnel through the treated soil. So, it is ideal for treating soil around the foundation, outdoor areas, or near plants where termites are found.
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Nisus Bora Care Termite Spray
Bonide Revenge Termite
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BioAdvanced Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer Plus
Termite Foam
Foam-based termite treatments are specifically designed to address drywood termites. The foam expands upon application, covering and penetrating termite holes and galleries. This can help eliminate the irritating drywood termites by reaching into the internal voids where they are nesting.
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ASpectracide Terminate Termite Killing Foam
4) Barrier Treatment
Barrier treatment is a more traditional method for termite control, involving drilling holes around the building’s perimeter to create a protective barrier that termites will avoid. This approach involves drilling small holes about every 1.5 to 2 feet around the foundation or along the walls of the building. Each hole is drilled about 1 foot into the ground, and then approximately 5 liters of termiticide are injected into the soil. The termiticide mixes with the soil, creating a barrier that can effectively protect the property for 3 to 5 years.
This method is particularly effective for preventing termites from entering through the soil surrounding the building. However, it is not suitable for addressing infestations near electrical wires or water pipes.
In Malaysia, pest control companies typically drill holes around the building’s perimeter and inject the termiticide under high pressure. In contrast, pest control companies in other countries may prefer to dig trenches around the building, pour the termiticide into the trenches, and then refill the soil.
Buy on Amazon
Nisus Bora Care Termite Spray
Bonide Revenge Termite
Revenge Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Spray
BioAdvanced Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer Plus
How to Prevent Termite Infestations
- Remove Wood and Debris: Keep the area around your home clear of wood, leaves, and other debris that can come into contact with the soil. This helps reduce conditions favorable to termite survival.
- Fix Moisture Issues: Address any sources of water that termites could use. Repair leaking pipes, roof cracks, improper drainage, and areas of standing water promptly.
- Minimize Dark and Damp Areas: Reduce the amount of cardboard, wood items, and other materials in dark, unventilated areas such as storage rooms and kitchen cabinets.
- Apply Termiticide: Treat the soil around your home with termiticide to create a protective barrier that prevents termites from entering.
- Install Termite Detection Stations: Set up detection stations around your home and check them regularly. If termites are detected, add termiticide powder or bait to the stations.
- Control Termite Swarmers: If you see termites flying, use insecticides or electric fly zappers to eliminate them during the day. At night, reduce indoor lighting or install insect traps to prevent them from entering your home.
Prevention is better than cure. By taking the right measures and using appropriate products, you can effectively manage termite control and minimize damage to your home.
Summary:
Termites are not like other household pests, and effectively eliminating them requires the use of well-known and effective termite control products. It also demands professional knowledge and experience to avoid wasting time and money.
Many termite products available online require professional expertise to be effective; simply using them without proper knowledge will not guarantee complete eradication.
If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, it will require some luck and patience, as well as careful observation and research. For best results, consider revisiting this article or reaching out to me via email for further guidance.
For those seeking professional help, it’s highly recommended to contact a pest control company with experience in handling termites to address the issue effectively.
Thank you for reading the articles from Ableddin Solutions Pest Control .
Wishing you all the best,
Alan Yap
Termite Specialist
Ableddin Solutions
+6016-972 0068
www.alanable.com
Reliable Pest Control Solutions
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